Professional Development runs throughout Terms 1 and 2 and work done in this module will support the final Advanced Practice dissertation. Guest directors, musical directors, industry professionals, casting directors and agents are brought in for a number of seminars, mock-auditions and master-classes, designed to comprehensively prepare the student for entry into the profession.

Priority is initially given to song audition technique, and the formation of a broad audition portfolio suited to the individual student. As the module progresses, consideration is given to speech auditions, cold-readings and movement/choreography.

Also included is an overview of current market demands and seminars that enable a heightened awareness of general castability. Disciplines such as interview techniques, preparing CVs and photographs are also covered along with intensive stand alone workshops and master classes such as Stage Combat training, corporate role-play and practitioner- specific seminars.

• to enable a thorough understanding of the entertainment industry and the responsibilities of the actor/performer working within that industry
•  To facilitate the development of an appropriate and credible audition portfolio
• To build confidence and develop flexibility by providing experiential learning in a number of different audition and casting situations
• to prepare the performer-in-training for the life-long process of job searching, auditioning and career development

•  A readiness and ability to take responsibility for managing a career in the performing arts
• The ability to prepare fully and appropriately for a range of auditions
•  The ability to sight read effectively at audition
•  The ability to take direction quickly, clearly and effectively
•  The ability to gain, or create employment in the entertainment industry
  
• A sophisticated awareness of professional discipline and presentation

Presentation of audition material, including song and spoken monologues;

Presentation of self: interview technique, appropriate dress; preparation of materials;

Commercial auditions, Sight-reading; interview technique.

Professional preparation – including lectures and seminars on managing a professional career: Equity, Spotlight, Agents, Casting, finance and taxation

Intensive Stage Combat course leading to BADC basic qualification

Master classes where available from professional practitioners in skills such as radio, voice-overs, corporate role-play, devising theatre, running small scale theatre companies.

Lectures

Industry seminars

Tutorials

Workshops

Classes

Dunmore, Simon. An Actor’s Guide to Getting Work. London: Macmillan, 1991.

Greene, Don. Audition Success. New York: Routledge, 2001

Hooks, Ed. The Audition Book. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1989.

Kayes, Gillyanne, Singing and the Actor (Black, 2000)

Merlin, Joanna. Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide. New York: Random House, 2001.

Ostrow, Philip. Thank You Very Much. Hanover, NH: Smith & Kraus, 2002.

Salt, Chrys. Making Acting Work. London: Bloomsbury, 1991

Contacts (London: The Spotlight, 2010)

The Stage and Television Today (weekly publication)

Professional Casting Report (weekly subscription newsletter)